- - Tug of war
(http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/general-behavior/439705-tug-war.html)

enh811

04-17-2014 08:57 PM

Tug of war

Ok. So, to play tug o war with the 6 month old or not? We have been told that this could cause her to become aggressive or may cause her to think she is dominant over us. ???
What are your thoughts and experiences?
I have always played tug with my dogs. My husband has never owned a big dog & refuses to play tug with her...
What to do... What to do?...

Play tug(but make sure your dog is done teething) and let the dog win often. You are the one that controls the game always...if you aren't tugging there is no game. Who is in control/dominant?

Bob_McBob

04-17-2014 09:05 PM

That is very outdated thinking along with "never let your dog win". Tug games are a great way to bond with your dog, get them interested in you (the source of fun!), and teach them a solid "drop it" as well. Like onyx says, you are in control of the game, not the dog. Skip all the pet store toys made for humans and get a couple of good bite tugs.

Play tug(but make sure your dog is done teething) and let the dog win often. You are the one that controls the game always...if you aren't tugging there is no game. Who is in control/dominant?

Thank you onyx'girl. Like I said, I've always played with my dogs in the past. Is there a reason to let the dog win often? That won't make her think she is in control?... Will it??
As far as the dominant one, are you talking about my husband or I with our 6 month pup?

That is very outdated thinking along with "never let your dog win". Tug games are a great way to bond with your dog, get them interested in you (the source of fun!), and teach them a solid "drop it" as well. Like onyx says, you are in control of the game, not the dog. Skip all the pet store toys made for humans and get a couple of good bite tugs.

LOL I sure hope it wasnt a trainer or "behaviorist" that came up with that gem.

Watch some Michael Ellis vids on Youtube on tugging.
-Start the dog on a long line, make him miss a few times to get him revved up give him a bite and let him take it.
-Call him back to you, use the long line to ensure he comes back and give him another little fight for the object and give him another win.
-Call him back another little fight, rinse and repeat.

- To teach out simply freeze the toy with your hands, say out and wait till the dog lets go. Mark and give a rebite right away to reward the out. Repeat regularly but not too much in the begining.

Letting the dog win builds confidence and develops drive for the toy. This is good for any young dog and can be transitioned into a training reward down the road.

Tugging with your dog will NOT have any effect on aggression or dominance. Its a structered game that is an excellent outlet for your dog.

SunCzarina

04-18-2014 12:27 AM

Letting them win builds confidence. It's good for getting their aggressions out in a controlled way - you teach the control over when to bite and when to out. When you win - it's an out and that's your control. By letting the dog *win* the tug, you let them have some control.

Also female to female, if you let them win sometimes, they won't yank on it so hard and rip your arm out.

boomer11

04-18-2014 12:38 AM

Just imagine you playing tug of war with another person. It's fun to win. If you lost all the time why the heck would you want to play?! I make the dog pull hard. I tug hard with him for the toy so when he wins it's even more satisfying and fun for the dog.

Ellimaybel

04-18-2014 12:53 AM

I had heard the same thing, that it makes the dog aggressive. This is the first I'm learning of the truth. I'm reassured that Gunther plays tug with me and yet still releases on both the English and German command. I'm glad I never enforced the "no tug" rule.

onyx'girl

04-18-2014 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enh811
(Post 5393673)

Thank you onyx'girl. Like I said, I've always played with my dogs in the past. Is there a reason to let the dog win often? That won't make her think she is in control?... Will it?? As far as the dominant one, are you talking about my husband or I with our 6 month pup?

The one who controls the game is the dominant one. That would be the person holding the tug, like I posted, there is no game if you aren't tugging! You are always the one who controls it. And yes let the dog win(and act like she is really overpowering you when you let her win!) so her confidence builds.